Marine Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter Receives Medal of Honor

2 years ago

(Washington, DC) -- A Marine veteran is being honored for conspicuous gallantry in the war in Afghanistan. In a White House ceremony this afternoon, retired Marine Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter was awarded the Medal of Honor. President Obama noted that Carpenter threw himself on a grenade to save a fellow soldier in a battle in southern Afghanistan.

Carpenter sustained massive injuries from the 2010 battle and underwent dozens of surgeries. The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest award for valor in combat. Carpenter is the eighth living recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. The 24-year old Mississippi native is now a student at the University of South Carolina.